Pumping apparatus.



3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

' im Ww/1%.

No. 694,5!3. y Patented-Mar. 4, |902.

C. C.- WORTHINGTDN. PUMPING APPARATUS.

(Application led Nov. 4. 189B.-)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sham 2.

W "i i w Q l @N i- Q H 'Y' l O Q Y A Q2 .a l lL f Q o 3 w 'Q m c-:Ev p* E; J

0 IQ 02 m Rf a m: canals paens cu.. maremma., wAsmNm'uN, D c.

No. 694,5I3.

(No Model.) l

. Patented. Mary. 4, |902.

C. C. WDRTHINGTON. PuulPmG APPARATUS.

(Application med Nov. yA. 189s.) y

3 Sheets$heet 3.

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

CHARLES C. WORTHINGTON, OF IRVINGION, NEW YORK.

PUMPING APPARATUS.

SPEIFICATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,513, dated March 4, 1902.

Application filed November 4, 1898. Serial No. 695 ,446. (No model.)

` To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES CVORT'HING- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Irvington, county of Westchester, and State of New York, have invented certain new and nsefulImprovements in PumpingApparatus, fully described and represented in the followingspecication and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to an improved pumping apparatus designed especially for use in connection with automatic sprinkler and other fire systems, but which may be used also in' connection with any system in which it is desired to maintain a Huid-supply under pressure and which is liable to constant or frequent slight withdrawal of liuid by leakage or otherwise, such that the required pressure in the' system may be restored or maintained against such slight withdrawal by a small auxiliary pump, so that the main pump operates only when the system is --\called upon for fire or other service involving a larger withdrawal of fluid.

The object of the present invention -is to provide an improved pumping apparatus of this class in which the main pump shall be controlled from the auxiliary pump through simple and positively-acting means, so as to secure the proper operation of the latter when required, and I secure this result by the use of means controlling the supply of steam, the electric current, or other source of power to the main pump and actuated by a member controlled by the auxiliary pump through suitable devices, so as to supply power for the operation of the main pump when the latter is to be called into action.

The invention, broadly considered, may be embodied in many diiferent forms and various means be used for operating the pumps and securing the desired control of the main pump by the auxiliary pump; but I preferably control the main pump directly by the speed of the auxiliary pump, so that the device controlling the supply of power tothe main pump is actuated for the operation of the main pump by the increase of speed of the auxiliary pump, which results from the reduction of pressure in the system caused by a withdrawal of fluid in excess of the quantity that the auxiliary pump is constructed or arranged to supply. This result is best obtained by the use of a speed-governor actuated by the auxiliary pump and.

speed it is operated intermittently or at varying speeds by controlling the supply of power thereto in accordancewith the withdrawal of fluid from the system at a rate less than the lrate of withdrawal at which the main pump is to be called into operation. This result may bestbe attained in steam operated pumps by the use of a steam-accumulator,

which also acts 13o-maintain a uniform pressure within the system and secure the smooth, uniform, and properly-regulated acA tion of the apparatus desired. With such an accumulator also it is possible to dispense with the speed-governor by which the device controlling the power-supply of the main pump is actuated and actuate this device by connections to the accumulator-piston,*andA such a construction is within the broader features of myinvention. The construction may b e such that the action of the auxiliary pump controls both the starting and stopping of the main pump, but preferably the main pump when called into action continues in operation until the power is again shut od by hand. or by means operating independentlyv of the auxiliary pump, the action of the auxiliarypump operating only to start the main pump and operating to stop or control the stopping of the main pump. In such a construction also I preferably provide means for positively holding the device controlling the power-supply to the main pump in position for the operation of the main pump whenthe latter is called into action, so as to avoid accidental stopping of the main pump. The auxiliary pump may operate, however, to both start and stop the main pump, and such a construction is within the broader features of my invention.

IOO

The invention includes, therefore, in addition to the broader features of the invention various specific features of construction and combinations of parts in pumpingapparatus embodying such features and certain details of construction, many of which may be applied in pumping apparatus used for other purposes, all of which Will be fully described hereinafter and specifically claimed.

As a full understanding of the invention can best be given by a description of a construction embodying the same, such a description will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and showing so much of steam-pump systems embodying the various features of the invention in some of the preferred forms as is necessary for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation, partly in section, showing an apparatus in Which the steam-valve of the main pump is controlled directly by the speed of the auxiliary pump, so as to open the valve vwhen the speed of the auxiliary pump becomes excessive on account of the Withdrawal of water from the system in excess of the pumping capacity of the auxiliary pump. Fig. 2 is a similar View of a system in which the steam-valve of the main pump is controlled bythe same means, but a steamaccumulator is combined with the auxiliary pump to control the supply of steam thereto. Fig. 3 shows a pumping apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 2, except that the main steam-valve is opened and closed by the accumulator-piston, the speed-governor of Figs. 1 and 2 being omitted. Fig. -t is a detail plan of the auxiliary pump and accumulator construction of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a longitudiual central section of the accumulator. Fig. 6 is a detail of a modification.

In Fig. 1, A is the steam end, and A the Water end, of the main pump, B the suctionmain, and C the force-main, connected to an automatic sprinkler-,system or other system in which the Water-supply'is to be maintained at a certain pressure. ct a are lrespectively the steam and Water ends of the auxiliary pump, and b the suction and c the delivery pipe of the same. The suction-pipe b connects with and takes its Water from the Watercylinder of the main pump through a small chamber 10, mounted on top of the pump and (pipe o connects with the force-main C through a pipe d, and thus to the system with which thevpumping apparatus is employed, so that This arrangement dispenses With the necessity of charging or priming pipes for the cylinders of the main pump as ordinarily used for this purpose. The valves 2 are used, so that communication will be shut off between the tWo ends of the Water-cylinders of the main pump When the pump is in operation,

thus preventing the Water from pulsating` from one side of the main-pump piston to the other through the passages 1 and chamber 10.

The steam end A of the main pump receives its supply of steam from the induction-pipe D,

the steam passing to the main pump in the y usual operation of the apparatus through a by-pass pipe E, having thereon avalve-chamber F, through which the passage of the steam is controlled by a valve 11, which may be of any suitable form, being shown as a common form of balanced piston=valve. The induction-pipe D is provided with a throttle 12 between the ends of the by-pass pipe E,by which steam may be supplied to the main pump directly through the induction -vpipe Without control by the valve 11, if desired,and a small amount of steam may be allowed to pass'constantly to` the main pump independently of the valvell to keep` the pump in condition for immediate use. The valve 11 is normally closed, so that the main pump is out of operation, the auxiliary pump beingin action and being arranged to supply the system with Water sufficient to offset the loss by leakage or other causes producing such a small Withdrawal of Water that it is not desired that the main pump shall act, the pressure in the system thus being maintained by the auxiliary pump, which receives a constant supply of steam from the induction-pipe D or, as shown, from the by-pass pipe E on the inlet side of the valve-chamber F through steam-pipe e. An automatic pressure-reducing valve 20 of any common or suitable form is used upon the pipe e to secure and maintain uniform the desired supply of steam to the auxiliary pump. The usual drain-pipes 17 for the steam end of the main pump and the induction-pipe D is shown. Y

The valve 11 is controlled directly by the auxiliary pump and opened to admit steam to the-.main pump through the valve-chamber F When the Withdrawal of Water from the system is in excess of the amount for the supply of which the auxiliary pump is designed, so that the desired supply of water and pressure in the system is not maintained by the auxiliary pump.

IIO

auxiliary pump acts upon the valve 11 through a device so actuated by the auxiliary pump that when the speed of the auxiliary pump rises sufficiently through the reduction of pressure in the system by the withdrawal of water therefrom the valve 1l is opened to start the main pump. For this purpose the auxiliary pump has connected therewith a speed-governor, which may be of any suitable' form, the governor f shown being well known under the name of the Mason pump-governor, (fully shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 312,138, dated February 10, 1885,) the operating-armof thisgovernor beingV connected to a moving part ofthe auxiliary pump by a link 13, so as to be actuated therefrom, and having its weighted bellcrank lever let connected to the valve l1 through a slotted link 15, and slide'l mounted in the head ofthe valve-chamber F and bracket 3 on the end of the valve-chamber. construction with the suction of the auxiliary pump connected to the cylinder of the main pump the speed of the auxiliary pump will normally be maintained whilethe main'Y pumpv is in operation, buta slotted connection 4 between the end yof the bell-crackle'- ver 14 and the link l5 is preferably used and arranged asshown in Fig. 1, so that the auxilary pump acting through the speed-governorfwill open the valve 11, buton thereturn of the bell-crank lever 14 by the'weight in case the auxiliary pump should slow down the valve 11 will not be closed thereby, but will remain open andthe main pump remain in action until the valve 1l is closed by hand by the attendant or by any'suitable automatic means independently of the auxiliary pump. If the suction of the auxiliary pump be not assisted by the pumping actionof theV 'main pump, then such lost-motion connection is necessary unless it be desired to close the valve l1 by the'slowing'dow'n of the auxiliary pump as the pressure in the system is raised by the main pump. s In order to assure the valve 11 not being closed accidentally, I preferably provide some means for'positively holding thevalve 11 against closing after it has been opened by the auxiliary pump?k Simple means for this purpose is shown, consisting in a spring-pressed pawl 5, mounted on the bracket Sand engaging a vnotched portion of the slide 16.

The operationof the construction shownin Fig. 1 will be understood from a'brief description. e The supply of water and pressure in the system, of whichthe force-main 'C forms a part, is maintained bythe 'auxiliary pump supplying the losslby leakage or other causes, involving small withdrawal of'water from thel system, the auxiliary pump under'such con- 1n this' on a tire-service of an automatic sprinkler system-thepressure against which the auxill against' theresistance of.- the weight on' its horizontal arm,which through the link lkand slide 16 moves, the valvell tov the right in this figure, so as to admit steam tothe main pump through the by-pass pipe E and valvechamber F. The valve 11 is then, heldV in opened position by the engagement vof the pawl' 5 with a notch on slide 16,`and the main pump thus continues in operation until again closed by hand or otherwise, when the normal operation' of the apparatus, with the auxiliary pump in operation and the main pump out of operation, is tobe resumed. When the withdrawalof water ceases and the main pumpis stopped, the auxiliary pump slows down to normal speedfand the speed-governor returns to the position shown in Fig. 1.

In'Fig.` 2 I have shown a construction similar to thatfof Fig. 1,' except' that instead of the supply of steam to the auxiliary pump being constant a steam-pressure accumulator is connectedto the auxiliaryr pump, which regulates the supply of steam to the auxiliary pump, so`that the operation of the latter is varied in accordance with the amount of water withdrawn from thesystem on account of leakage or other Ycauses resulting in a small withdrawal of water. The steam-pressure accumulator shown isthe same asldescribed and IOC clai'med in my prior patent, No. 524,013,'dated l August 7, 1894, and requiresbutfa brief description. VIn this construction, 'pas shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5, g is the pressurechamber, 7?, thesteam-chamber, and tf thepiston of the'accumulator, the pressure-chamber being connectedto the delivery-pipe cof the auxiliary pump by a piped, opening to the end of the chamber. The steam-supplypipe e connects directly with the steam-chamber chamber 8, with whichv pipe e connects and IIC through which the steam passes tothe Valvechamber of.` the auxiliary p ump, the supply of steam to' the auxiliary pumpthus being increased as r`the piston t moves toward vthe delivery end of the pressure-chamber g by the passage of thesteam through morel of, the A openings V(id intothe stem 18, as these lopen-q ings are uncovered by being movedthrough the head of thefch'amber h, so as to open into the chamber, andthe supply of steam to the auxiliary lpump fis decreased as theppiston i 4 'moves in the opposite directionand closes some ofthe openings 6 by moving theminto or past the head ofthechamber h. The operation of this oo nstructionis as follows: The

main pump being out of operation, the water supply and pressure of the system is maintained against leakage and other slight Withdrawal of Water by the auxiliary pump, this pump delivering moreor less water,according to the amount of Withdrawal from 'the system, the accumulator-piston controlling the supply of steam to the auxiliary pump, so as to increase such supply as the accumulatorpiston c' moves toward the delivery end of the pressurechamber g on the Withdrawal of water in excess of that delivered by the auxiliary pump and to decrease the supply of steam as the piston t' is moved in the opposite direction by the pumping pressure of the auxiliary pump. The accumulator may be arranged so as to cut oft the steam entirely from the auxiliary pump or always to admit sufficient steam to keep the'pump ruiming at a low speed, this depending upon the leakage or other withdrawal of Water from the system. The action of the accumulator in connection with the pump is fully explained in my prior patent, No. 524,013, above referred to. On the withdrawal of water from the system in excess of the pumping capacity of the auxiliary pump the pressure in the system is reduced and the speed 'of the auxiliary pump increased, and the valve l1 is then opened by the increased speed of the auxiliary pump acting through the Mason governor f exactly as fully described above in connection with the construction shown in Fig. l, and the main pump then remains in operation until the valve is closed again, when the speed of the auxiliary pump is reduced and the parts of the governor returned to position, previously described.

'In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the .speed-governor f may be omitted and the valve ll connected so as to be operated by the piston t of the accumulator. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 3 and in the detail Figs. 4 and 5, with the stem 18, carried by the accumulator-piston c', extending through the head of the chamber h and connected to the slide 16 of the valve 11. `As shown, 'the accumulator-pistonis connected to the valve 1'1, so as to move it in both directions, a lostmotion connection preferably being used to secure the proper action; but such a connection may be used that the valve will be opened by the accumulator-piston, but not closed thereby. The suction?) of the auxiliary pump in this construction is connected to the suction side of the main pump, so that the auxiliary pump charges the suction or supply side of the main pump, but not the pumpchambers, and the auxiliary pump works shown in Fig. 2 and previously described, except that lthe accumulator and auxiliary pump are arranged so that the accumulatorpiston 7l will be'normally some distance from the delivery end of the pressure-chamber g, as shown in Fig. 5, and will not move toward the delivery end of the pressure-chamber from this position sufficiently to open the valve 1l, except in case of such withdrawal of water from the system as renders the operation of the main pump desirable. When, therefore, by the Withd rawal of water from the system in excess of the pumping capacity of the auxiliary pump the accumulator-piston '1l moves toward the delivery end of the pressure-chamber g suttlciently beyond the point at which it is shown in Fig. 5, the valve ll Will be opened and the main pump brought into action, and the accumulator-piston i is again moved to the left from the delivery end of the pressure-chamber g, as the pressure in the system is raised by the main pump when the withdrawal of Waterl from the system ceases and at the proper time closes the valve 1l and throws the main pump out of action, the normal operation of the apparatus being then resumed. If a tlexible or similar connection be used between the accumulatorpiston and the valve 1l, the valve l1 will remain open until closed by hand or otherwise, as in the constructions previously described. It' the suction-pipe h of the auxiliary pump be connected to the suction of the main pump, as in Fig. 3, the speed-governors of the. constructions shownin Figs. l and 2 may be connected to the valve 1l, so as to both open and close the valve, the means for holding the valve open being omitted.

The invention has been described as applied to the common sprinkler system in which the whole system is liquid; but such an apparatus may readily be applied also in connection with what is known in lire-protection systems as the dry-pipe system, where air-pressure is maintained on the piping and sprinkler distribution until such time as the sprinkler opens, when the air-pressure escapes and water for the extinguishing of the tire follows. On such a system the auxiliary pump described might be an air-compressor used for the maintenance of the air-pressure, its subsequent operations with reference to the main pump being the same` asl those 'already described, or this auxiliary pump may be both a Water-pump for keeping up the leakage in such portion of the system as is constantly under water-pressure and au air-pump for keeping up the air-supply on the dry-pipe portion of the system.

It will be understood that other arrangements of the main and auxiliary pumps and devices for controlling the operation of the main pump by the auxiliary pump may be used and that I am not to be limited to the specitic arrangements or devices shown for this purpose. The pumps shown are of a common form of duplex steam-pump; but it will be un- ICO IZO

derstood that the invention may be applied in connection with pumps of any other suitable form or driven by other than steampower. Should the pumps be electrically driven, it will be readily understood that the devices described may be made to operate switches of well-known form or other devices for turning on or off the electric current to the motor or motors driving the main pump.

In case electricity be used the steam-accumulator described Will not be applicable except Where the auxiliary pump is steam driven and the main pump electrically driven, in which case there Willbe substituted for the balanced Valve 11 an electrical switch connected to the main pump, as indicated in Fig. 6, in which is the electrical switch to which the operating-rod 16 from the governor is connected and which controls the electricallydriven main pump. It both the auxiliary and main pump be electrically driven, the speedgovernor or similar device operated by the auxiliary pump Will operate-the switch controlling the main pump when the speed of the auxiliary pump exceeds a certain limit.

l/Vhat I claim isl. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small withdrawal of fluid from the system, a device controlling theoperation of the main pump, and mechanism through which the pumping action of the auxiliary pump controls said device for operating the main pump on a larger withdrawal of fluid from the system, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small withdrawal of fluid from the system, a device controlling the operation of the main pump, and means controlled by the speed of the auxiliary pump for operating said device to start the main pump by the increase in the speed of the auxiliary pump on a larger withdrawal of Huid from the system, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small Withdrawal of fluid from the system, a speed-governor actuated by the auxiliary pump, and means for controlling the operation of the main pump by the speed-governor to operate the main pump on a larger Withdrawal of fluid from the system, substantially as described.

n 4. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small Withdrawal of Water from the system, means for controlling the Operation of the auxiliary pump in accordance with the Withdrawal of fluid vfrom the system, a speedgovernor actuated by the auxiliary pump, and means for controlling the operation of the main pump by the speedgovernor to operate themain pump on a larger withdrawal of fluid from the system, substantially as described.

Y 5. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, ot' an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small Withdrawal of fluid from the system, a valve controlling the supply of steam to the main pump, 'and means controlled by the auxiliary pump for opening said valve on a larger withdrawal of fluid from the system and arranged to permit the valve to remain open independently of the action of `the auxiliary pump, substantially described.

6. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliaryv pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small withdrawal of fluid from the system, a valve controlling the supply ol" steam to the main pump, means controlled by the speed of the auxiliary pump for opening said valve When the speed of the auxiliary pump is increased on a larger Withdrawal of fluid from the system, and means forholding said valvein position when opened by the auxiliary pump, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small Withdrawal of fluid from the system, a speed-governor actuated by the auxiliary pump, and means for controlling the operation of the main pump by the speed-governor to operatethe main pump on a larger withdrawal of fluid from the system and arranged to permit the main pump to remain -in operation independently of the auxiliary pump, substantially as described. l

8. The combination with avmain pump and its connected system, or" an auxiliarypump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small Withdrawal of fluid from the system, a valve controlling the supply of steam to the main pump, a speed-governor actuated by the auxiliary pump, and

connections betweensaid speed-governorand valve for opening said valve when the speed of the auxiliary pump is increased ona larger Withdrawal ot fluid from the system and permitting the valve to remain open independently of the action of the auxiliary pump, substantially as described. 1

9. The combination With amain pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small withdrawal of fluid from the system, a valve controlling the supply of steam to the main pump, a speed-governor actuated by the auxiliary pump, connections between said speed-governor and IOO IIO

valve for opening said valve When the speed j of the auxiliary pump'is increased ona larger Withdrawal Y of fluid from, the system, and means for holding said valve in position when opened by the auxiliary pump, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small withdrawal of Huid from the system, means for controlling the supply of steam to the auxiliary pump in accordance with the amount of fluid Withdrawn from the system, and means controlled by the auxiliary pump for controlling the main pump to secure the operation of the main pump on a larger withdrawal of fluid from the system, substantially as described..

11. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small Withdrawal of duid from the system, means for controlling the supply of steam -lo the auxiliary pump in accordance with the amount oi' fluid withdrawn from the system, a valve controlling the supply of steam to the main pump, and means controlled by the auxiliary pump for opening said valve on a larger Withdrawal of fluid from the system, substantially as described.

12. The combination witha main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small withdrawal of fluid from the system, means for controlling the supplyl of steam to the auxiliary pump in accordance with the amount of fluid withdrawn from the system, a valve controlling the supply of steam to the main pump, and a speedgovernor actuated by the auxiliary pump for opening said valve when the speed of the auxiliary pump is increased. on a larger withdrawal of fluid from the system, subst-anti ally as described.

13. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary pump connected to the system for maintaining the pressure against a small withdrawal of fluid from the system, a steam-pressure-accumulator connected to the auxiliary pump and means for varying the supply of steam to the auxiliary pump in accordance with the movement of the accumulator-piston, and means controlled by the auxiliary pump for securing the operation of the main pump on a larger withdrawal of iuid from the system, substantially as described.

14:. The combination with a main pump and its connected system, of an auxiliary waterpump connected to the system for maintaining the supply of water against a small withdrawal of liquid from the system, a steampressure accumulator connected to the auxiliary pump and means for varying the supply of steam to the auxiliary pump in accordance with the movement of the accumulator-piston, a valve controlling the supply of steam to the main pump, and a speed-governor actuated by the auxiliarypump for opening said valve when the speed of the auxiliary pump is increased on a larger withdrawal of Water from the system, substantially as described.

15. The combination lwith an intermittently-operating pump, of a second pump with its suction or supply side connected with the water-'cylinder of the first-mentioned pump, whereby the operation of the second pump charges with water the cylinder of the intermittently-operated pump, substantially as described. y

16. The combination with a pump normally out of operation, of a second pump with its supply side connected with the watercylinder or cylinders of the first-mentioned pump, whereby the operation of the second pump charges with water the cylinder of the normally inoperative pump, and means controlled by the operation of the second pump for starting the normally inoperative pump, substantially as described.

17. The combination with a pump normally out of operation, of a second pump with its supply drawn from the supply of the firstmentioned pump, whereby the operation of the second pump charges With Water the supply of the normally inoperative pump, and means controlled by the operation of the second pump for starting the normally inoperative pump, substantially as described.

18. The combination with an intermittently-operating pump, ot a second pump drawing its supply from the supply of the intermittentlyoperating pump, whereby the operation of the second pump charges with water the supply of the intermittently-operating pump, substantially as described.

19. The combination with a pump normally out of operation, of a second pump drawing its supply from the Water cylinder or cylinders of the first-mentioned pump,whereby the operation of the second pump keeps the water cylinder or cylinders of the normallyinoperative pump charged with water, and valves 2 so arranged as to prevent the circulation of water between the pulsation-chambers of the normally inoperative pump when in action, substantially as described.

20. The combination with a pump-cylinder having chamber 10 and passages 1 from the opposite ends of the cylinder, of a second pump having its suction side connected with said passages, and valves 2 permitting the passage of Iiuid through said passages to the second pump but preventing the circulation of uid between the pulsation-chambers of the firstmentioned pump, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES C. WORTHINGTON.

lVitnesses: i

Louis Ross ALBERGER, B. W. PiERsoN.

IOO

IIO 

